jcr label info
The flourishing co-operation between two German labels Jazzanova Records and Compost Records began in the summer 1997. Similar thoughts about jazzy tunes led to the founding of the new label Jazzanova-Compost Records (JCR) in the winter 1998. Not only the music of the Jazzanova-DJ collective and the favourite records of the Jazzanova-DJ-team, but also other projects are released on JCR. The collaboration between Jazzanova and Compost will guarantee the finest collection of current jazz impressions flavoured with unique and refreshing vibes and beats from the latest club sounds.

Koop Jazzanova

Jazzanova is a Berlin-based producer collective, consisting of the Jazzanova DJ-team (Jürgen von Knoblauch, Alexander Barck, Claas Brieler), Extended Spirit (Axel Reinemer & Stefan Leisering) and Kosma (Rosko Kretschmann). These guys are heavily into deep jazz and modern beats, which lead their tunes to a stunning fusion of retrospective music – which shows their roots - and new club sounds. They have created an individual melodic and percussion-orientated style, echoing house, d&b, tripHop, brazil, latin, funk and boogie. The aim of their productions and DJ-sets is, while oscillating between the different styles, to get the audience involved into the whole musical spectrum of that fusion.

Compost Records was founded by DJ and music journalist Michael Reinboth; his label is renown for world-class German drum&bass-productions, the excellent series of Future Sounds Of Jazz-compilations and other modern, eclectic tunes. Compost-acts are: A Forest Mighty Black, Beanfield, Fauna Flash, Trüby Trio, Force & Paul, Move D, a.o.

The mastermind behind Compost Records, Michael Reinboth, has musically same roots as Jürgen von Knoblauch and Claas Brieler. Jürgen and Claas know Michael for many years. Although Jürgen and Claas live in Berlin, the distance doesn't stop them changing old, rare records and new tunes with Michael.

The EP Caravelle was the first collaboration between the Jazzanova and Compost Records. The tracks were so in-demand that they were club-hits played by Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Ben Wilcox, Rainer Trüby, Kruder & Dorfmeister and, of course, by Jazzanova DJ-team and the Compost-crew on dubplates! The first EP was quickly sold out, and JCR re-released it in summer 1998. The re-release, however, is few months later hopelessly sold out again. On the chart of 100 best singles in 1998 in the magazin "Muzik” is Jazzanova’s "Caravelle” number 69, and Jazzanova’s Marshmellow-remix is number 19!

Just get intoxicated and seduced by the uptempo-massive percussive samba of "Caravelle" or the deepness of "Introspection" and "Konklave" on the AA-Side. Also watch out for the limited reissue of the first Jazzanova EP Fedime’s Flight (JCR 001) and the Formation 60-Amiga Compilation (JCR 003, LP/CD) of modern jazz from Eastern Germany on JCR. "Caravelle” is also released on CD (JCR 004) along with the tracks "Introspection”, "Konklave” and "Fedime’s Flight”. The brand new project in the pipeline is DJ Matsuoka’s EP "Excellent Bird” (JCR 005).

The Underwolves Victor Davies

Classen Collective (JCR 009, JCR 012), Nuspirit Helsinki (JCR 010) and Yukihiro Fukutomi (JCR 011) released inspired 12 inches. In 2000 JCR made it to the next level with Jazzanova’s very own 5 LP / 2 CD Box “The Remixes 1997-2000” (JCR 013). Including such ground-breaking remixes as MJ Cole’s “Sincere” and 4 Hero's "We Who Are Not As Others" this record received recognition all around the planet.

The Underwolves (JCR 015, JCR 016, JCR 017) and Victor Davies (JCR 018, JCR 020) confirmed the label’s reputation as innovators of soulful club music with their outstanding albums. Nemo released an acclaimed EP, too (JCR 019).

This year two album releases have drawn a line under all the years of building up: first KOOP released their album “Waltz For KOOP” (JCR 021) and the 12 inch "Summer Sun" (JCR 022), both an international success. Then Jazzanova themselves released their debut album “In Between” (JCR 025), which included an outstandingly smart, extravagant cover art by JuToJo. "In Between" turned out to be a listening experience that – in the opinion of many international superstar DJs – has actually set a new standard for electronic music production.

Remixes also represent an important part of the JCR range - e.g. check the deep Victor Davies remixes by Masters At Work (JCR 024, JCR 035). With remixers including Peshay, Photek and Fauna Flash on the brand new remix album for The Underwolves (JCR 034), JCR continues to sound very fresh.

For contact details at JCR, logos and artists pictures please refer to our Press Info page.